Former Penn State execs face hearing in Sandusky sex-abuse scandal

Three ex-executives from the Pennsylvania State University are heading to court today so a judge can begin to decide if they were involved in covering up early reports that a former assistant football coach was molesting children.

Former Penn State President Graham Spanier, former Athletic Director Tim Curley and former Senior Vice President Gary Schultz are accused of covering up reports that Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused one child, which allowed the now-convicted child molester to continue to abuse children for years. The university fired Spanier and placed Curley on administrative leave. Schultz retired. Sandusky is serving a minimum of 30 years for his crimes.

At the preliminary hearing today, both sides will argue their case based on a November 2012 report from a grand jury. The judge will then decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial.

“The preliminary hearing is, as the name suggests, a preview of the prosecution’s evidence and not an indicator of a defendant’s guilt or innocence,” Caroline Roberto, an attorney for Curley, said in a statement. “The prosecution only has to present the bare minimum of evidence to convince a judge a trial is necessary.”